Bobby Murphy Praises Portland After Home Opener
"I want this in bold. I just want to send my thanks and gratitude to everybody who turned up."
The Portland community came out in full force to support the Portland Hearts of Pine in their first-ever home match at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
5,784 fans in attendance got to witness the Hearts score their first goal in Portland as well as secure their first league points at Fitzy. The Dirigo Union was cheering loudly and witnessed the entire stadium get involved in their version of the Viking Clap.
The group deserves credit for bringing the energy on an overcast day that saw rain enter the scene in the second half. Whether it be the flares, the tifo, or the unique chants, the supporters group had something for everyone.
Before discussing the details of the play on the field, head coach Bobby Murphy wanted to praise the Portland faithful.
“I want this in bold,” Murphy said. “I just want to send my thanks and gratitude to everyone who turned up. The fans were fantastic, the supporter’s group was unbelievable, and you guys showed up and were here and people were here until 1 o’clock this morning putting this thing together. People work so hard to give us a platform to perform.”
Midfielder Mashasi Wada was issued the man of the match award from The Dirigo Union. The midfielder scored the first Hearts goal at Fitzy which will be a moment that is etched in club history.
The Japanese native noted through translator and coach Yuta Nomura that the atmosphere is like a family. Murphy also stated how the relationship is not a one way street and that it is not lost on anyone associated with the club how special Portland is.
“I think it's a reciprocal relationship between players and fans,” Murphy said. “There'll be nights where they might be a little bit down and we have to give them a lift to get them into the game and there's moments like after the goal, where they brought us back into the game a little bit. So I think that's huge. In a macro sense, the players, it's not lost on them how special this place is and what we're building here. They're humbled and grateful as am I, by all the love and support we've gotten, not only just game day, but just around town and in our everyday lives.”